NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Valdosta State softball team opened Gulf South Conference play with a sweep of Trevecca Nazarene winning the series finale 10-8 Saturday afternoon.
 
VSU (7-6, 3-0 GSC) saw its lead trimmed to 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth, but plated four runs in the top of the seventh, before TNU (4-3, 0-3 GSC) scored four runs of its own in the bottom of the seventh for the final margin.  The win gave VSU its first sweep of the season as the Blazers scored ten runs on 13 hits with two errors, while TNU finished with eight runs on 11 hits and one error.  
 
The Blazers hit four home runs in the game and tallied 11 round-trippers for the series.  Sophomore Chloe Eichelberger went 3 for 4 with two RBI, a run scored, a double and a home run to lead the team.  Senior Saylor McNearney went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a home run and one RBI, while senior Evie Pitts went 2 4 for with two run scored and sophomore Krisley Arnold went 2 for 4 with one run scored and three RBI, including a home run.  
 
The Blazers opened the scoring in the first inning as McNearney began the game with a single through the right side and then scored on a senior Jayme Prandine ground out for a 1-0 lead.  The long ball trend continued for the Blazers in the top of the third as senior Rachael Lee began the frame with a solo home run to left center for a 2-0 lead and McNearney followed with a home run for back-to-back jacks for the Blazers and a 3-0 lead.  It was McNearney's team-leading sixth home run of the season and second for Lee.  
 
TNU made a call to the bullpen following the two home runs as Bailey Goad replaced starter Parker Herrin. Following a hit batsmen, Eichelberger blasted a two run home run on a 3-2 count with one out for a 5-0 lead and the third home run of the inning.  The three home runs in the third marked ten home runs to that point in for the series for the Blazers.  It was Eichelberger's third home run of the season.
 
The Trojans began the bottom of the fourth with a single for their second hit of the game off Blazer junior reliever Madison VanAllen, who replaced junior starter Alyssa Vallad in the third inning.  A walk followed for two on for TNU with nobody out and a fielder's choice and error loaded the bases with nobody out.  On a 3-2 count, VanAllen got a huge foul out for the first out.  A fielder's choice got the second out, but the Trojans plated a run for a 5-1 score.  VanAllen got a strikeout to end the inning and get out of the jam, preventing further damage.
 
Blazer senior Savannah Barfield relieved VanAllen for the bottom of the fifth, but TNU's Raegan Hunter began the frame with a single up the middle.  Barfield got two fielder's choice outs for two away and a fly out to end the threat.  
 
VSU added to its lead in the sixth with a single from Pitts who then stole second and scored on a sophomore Krisley Arnold single for a 6-1 score.  TNU brought in a new pitcher in Haylie Brooks, replacing Goad with two on and one out.  Brooks got out of the inning as VSU left runners at second and third.  
 
The Trojans used a one out single, an error and a hit batsmen to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth.  Pinch-hitter Annabelle Ellis singled to right field for a 6-2 score and, on a 1-2 count, Hunter singled to left center, plating the second run of the inning for a 6-3 score.  VSU got the second out of the inning with a fielder's choice out at home.  Goad trimmed the deficit to 6-4 with a singled through the left side on a 2-2 count as freshman Giselle Portanova replaced Barfield in the circle.  Portanova got a ground out to end the inning.  
 
Eichelberger doubled down the left field line with two out in the seventh and then Pitts doubled, followed by a two RBI single from junior Annalise Buncy for an 8-4 score.  Moments later, Arnold blasted a two run home run for a 10-4 score and the fourth home run of the day by the Blazers.  
 
TNU's Brianna Asmondy began the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to left and a 10-5 score.  Two singles followed for runners at second and third and nobody out.  VSU brought in junior Toree Wofford to relieve Portanova.  A ground out RBI and sacrifice fly trimmed the Blazer lead to 10-7 with two out.  Kylie Chetakian hit a solo home run for a 10-8 score.  Wofford got a fly out to center to end the game.  
 
VanAllen (3-1) earned the win in relief, going 2.0 innings, allowing one hit, one unearned run, walked one and fanned one.  Herrin (2-2) took the loss for TNU, going 2.0 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs.  
 
The Blazers finally return home for the 2026 home-opening series set for Feb. 28 – Mar. 1 at Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park versus The University of Alabama in Huntsville.  Game times are 1 p.m. each day with Saturday set for a doubleheader.